But while progress is being achieved, new and old threats still exist. Terrorism and extremism in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa have destabilised the countries in the region, Somalia and Mali being the most affected. But thanks to the African solidarity and the courageous efforts of both the Somali and Malian people with the sustained support of AMISOM, AFISMA, their regional partners and the broader international community, in particular the European Union, there are now brighter prospects for both countries. We must all continue to work together to move forward the stabilisation of the security situation and promotion of dialogue and national reconciliation.

The situations in the Central African Republic and Guinea Bissau also raise deep concern and we need to see the formation of truly inclusive governments and the swift holding of general elections. And we fully back the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement on the DRC and the Region signed here in Addis in February. The commitment from all parties to implement this Agreement is essential to deliver the peace, stability and reforms that are so badly needed by the great lakes region.

For all these challenges the African Union and regional organisations have taken the lead: confirming the principle of “African solutions for African problems”.

The African Union has been a leading force in this African revival, through its zero tolerance of unconstitutional regime change, by upholding the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and by its efforts to promote economic growth and the gradual construction of an internal market, the economic pillar of African unity.

It is therefore a privilege for the European Union (together with its Member States) to be the main partner of the African Union:

In promoting peace and democracy, through the African Peace Facility which has supported the deployment of peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic;

in supporting Africa's development as the world’s largest partner to African countries;

in working with Africa to achieve the MDGs, empowering its women and its children through education and improved health

in fostering economic growth, trade and investment through the world’s most generous trade preferences – quota free and duty free access to the EU market for all LDC countries;

and by our consistent and continued support to the African Union as the institutional expression of African unity.

In a continent of great and strong men and women it is essential to build strong institutions, for the dream of African unity would not have been born without these strong men and women, but unity cannot last without strong institutions.

This is why we are proud of having built a strategic partnership between Europe and Africa, the first region to region strategic partnership in the world, having at its heart the principles of African unity, European unity and mutual interdependence. Together we have held the pen which has produced a joint strategy based on a shared vision and common principles.

Next April in Brussels Europe and Africa will meet for the 4th Africa-Europe Summit to take this partnership to a new level. We will advance further in promoting sustainable development in our two regions, in nurturing and defending democracy and basic freedoms and in offering a better future to our citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

50 years ago 32 African nations made history by forming the Organisation of African Unity. Today the whole world has come together to celebrate this occasion.

African unity, European unity, are stage posts on the road to our final destination: a prosperous and peaceful future for all countries and continents.

For all the countries and people in the world are leaves of the same branch and branches of the same baobab tree.

We will only go far in our objectives if we work together. As the old African proverb reminds us: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.